Flashlight



A. J. DESIMONE yFmsmacm'r Aung. 26, 1941.

Filed Jan. 23, 1939 NVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 26, 1941' FLASHLIGHT `Lyndhurst, N. J., assigner to Bright Star Battery Company, Clifton, N. I.,- a corporation of New York Application January z3, 1939, serial No. 252,244

(ci. 24o-10.6)

Anthony Deslmone,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to flashlights ananas as an object a provision in a flashlight of simple and effective means for interrupting current flow through the bulb filament in the event of breakage of the bulb.

Such an arrangement is desirable for flashlights used in locations where there is a possibility of the atmosphere containing explosive fumes which might become ignited and contact a hot filament. With the arrangement ofthe present invention, breakage of the bulb results in interruption of current iiow and so precludes the possibility of the ignition of explosive fumes should any be in the immediate vicinity of the bulb. Furthermore, the arrangement is such that not only is the current flow interrupted but also the filament is broken, thus providing an additional measure of protection.

A further object of the invention is the provisionin a flashlight of the character above described of shock absorbing contact means for establishing electrical connection between the battery and the bulb.. Such an' arrangement minimizes the possibility of injury to the bulb should the flashlight be dropped or subjected in a severe blow.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a flashlight embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation partially broken away;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the flashlight tube;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bulb holder; and

Figs. 6 and 'I are fragmentary views generallv similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the different types or' shock absorbers.

The flashlight comprises a tube composed of molded plastic material such, for example, as cellulose acetate and is provided at either end with threads for the attachment to' the tube of the base cap II and the head I2. At the upper end of the tube is an inturned integral flange I3. the inner surface of which is engaged by the base of a metal cup i4, said base having a central aperture. An insulating washer I5 is arranged between the cap and a rigid yoke member Il and rivets I1 passing successively through the yoke member, the insulating washer, the base of the cup and the ange bind such elements together in assembled relation.

A socket I8 has a flange I8 which engages the outer surface of the cup I4 and is fastened thereto by rivets 20. The socket has a smooth bore and its exterior surface is screw threaded at 2|. A resilient strip 22 spans the yoke member I8 and supports a center contact 23 for engagement by the center contact of a bulb 24 mounted in the socket I8. A helical spring 25 is supported bythe insulating washer I5 within the socket I8 for engagement by the base of the bulb 24.

A screw-threaded collar 26 is supported by the socket I8 and is provided with a pair of crossed wire loops 21 which engage the bulb to hold'the latter with its center terminal engaging the contact 23, the spring 25 being under compression and forcing the bulb 28 into contact with the loops.

A metal strip.28 extends longitudinally of the tube I8 and is connected by attachment means 28 with a button 38 exterior-ofthe tube, a slot 3| being provided in the tube for permitting such connection and for permitting reciprocation of the strip 28 by the button 38 relative to the tube I0. As shown in Fig. 1, the upper end of the strip 28 in one position of the button 30 engages the cup I4 to close the bulb circuit but when retracted from such position moves out of contact with the cup to open the bulb circuit.

The arrangement of yoke I6, spring 22 and contact 23 constitutes a shock absorber for cushioning the bulb against shocks caused by blows striking the tube or by dropping of the flashlight. The spring 25 serves to project the bulb 24 outwardly to break the contact between its center terminal and the contact 23 in the event of breakage of the bulb, thereby discontinuing current iiow through the filament. Also, the outward movement of the broken bulb brings the lament into contact with one of the loops 21 thereby breaking the filament and providing additional prevention against ignition of explosive fumes, should any be present. The position as-sumed by the bulb in the event of breakage is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The head I2 carries a reflector 32 and lens 33 held in assembled relation to the head by the lens ring 34. The loops 21 pass through the aperture in the reflector, thereby permitting removal of the head I2 without disturbing the collar 26. After removal of the head, the collar 2B may be unscrewed from the socket I8 to permit the removal of a broken bulb and the insertion of a new bulb.

ln the modication disclosed in Fig.v 6, the

aperture in the ange il is countersunk from the inside and the metal cup is offset inwardly at Ila into the countersunkportion. the socket il fits into the oil'set portion Ila. A

button II of insulating materiall is supported` from the flange I l by rivets I1 and has a central recess 36 which is oountersunk at its upper end to receive an insulating washer 31 which engages the bottom of the socket il. A rivet 38 extends through the button I3 in-to the recess Il and is electrically connected to a spring 38 which engages the contact member 23 to press the same into engaging relation to the center terminal of the bulb 2l. The exterior surface of the socket il is threaded as previously described for the purpose o! receiving the collar 28.

The modiilcation illustrated in Fig. 7 diiTers The ilange i9 o1'A from that of Fig. 2 'in that sleeve 40 is supported by the yoke i6 and the contact 23 is held in position to engage the center terminal of the bulb M through the medium oi' a helical spring 4i interposed between contact 2l and the yoke i6.

I claim:

l. A ashlight comprising a casing of insulating material having an inturned ange at one end, a metal cup having an opening in its bottom arranged in said casing with the cup bottom contacting the inner surface of said iiange, an apertured disk oi insulatingmaterial within said cup closing said opening, aI socket attached to said cup bottom and arranged in the space deilned by the inner edge of said flange, said socket having a smooth inner surface and a screwthreaded outer surface, a center contact for said socket extending through said disk aperture and resiliently supported from said flange and being insulated by said disk from said cup and socket, a spring in said socket for engagement by the base of a bulb in said socket and having one end engaging said insulated disk. a screw-threaded collar on said socket, and a loop carried by said collar for holding said bulb with its center terminal in engagement with said center contact.

2. A flashlight comprising a casing ot insulating material having an inturned flange at one end, a metal cup having van opening in its bottom arranged in said casing with the cup bottom contacting the inner surface of said flange, an apertured disk oi' insulating material within said cup closing said opening, a socket attached to said cup bottom and arranged in the space defined by the inner edge of said flange. said socket having a smooth inner surface and a screwthreaded outer surface, a rigid yoke supported by said flange Within said cup and insulated therefrom by said insulating disk, a resilient strip spanning said yoke and supported at each end thereby, a center contact for said socket carried by said strip and extending through the aperture in said disk, a spring in saidA socket for engagement by the base of a bulb in said socket and having one end engaging said resilient disk, a screw-threaded collar on said socket, and a loop carried by said collar i'or holding said bulb with its' center terminal engaging said center contact.

3. A' flashlight comprising a casing of insulating material having an inturned flange, a metal cup having its bottom contacting the' inner surface of the ange, a button of insulating material supported by said flange in contact with said cup, a socket carried by said button in contact with said cup, a contact member slidably supported by said button for engagement with the center contact oi.' a bulb mounted in said socket, resilient means tending to urge said contact into said socket, a stationary contact exterior of saidbutton electrically connected toA said slidable contact, a screw thread on the outer surface of said socket, a spring in said socket for engagement by the base o1' the bulb in said socket, a screw-threaded collar on said socket and a loop carried by said collar for holding said bulb with its center terminal in engagement with said center contact.

4. A ashlight comprising a casing of insulating material having an inturned ilange, a metal cup having its bottom contacting the inner surf-ace of said flange, a rigid yoke supported by said ange and insulated from said cup, a helical spring supported by said yoke, a center contact supported by said springga socket carried by the bottom of said cup and insulated from said center contact, a screw thread on the outer surface of said socket, a spring in said socket for engagement by the base of a bulb in said socket, a screw-threaded collar on said socket and a loop carried by said collar for holding said bulb with its center termin in engagement with said center contact. y

ANTHONY J. DESIMONE. 

